North West buildings win RIBA awards

Some important buildings, old and new, in the North West of England, have won regional awards in the 2013 RIBA awards.

RIBA, or the Royal Institute of British Architects, holds its awards contest each year to celebrate the finest examples of British architecture. This year, the restored Florence Institute in Dingle was recognised for its architectural excellence while, in Blackburn, the Darwen Vale High School extension, by architects John McAslan and partners, also won a regional award. Two private North West homes were included amongst the winners.

The nineteenth-century Florence Institute, which is used as a community centre, had a grand re-opening last year, attended by the Prince of Wales, after its restoration following a fire. More than six million pounds was spent on the restoration project, which was carried out by the Purcell firm of architects. The contrastingly new Darwen Vale High School extension is constructed along soft, curved lines and houses many new facilities for pupils.

Buildings from the North West have also won national RIBA awards, with a chance to win the overall Stirling Prize. The new Business School at Manchester Metropolitan University, a sustainable branch of Marks and Spencer at Ellesmere Port and a new building at Chethams Music School will all be considered for the top award.

The annual RIBA awards scheme is open to all buildings regardless of their size, form or budget. Architects in Chester can submit their buildings for consideration in 2014 as long as they are members of the RIBA.